collegefreak779

How is Swarthmore in terms of acceptance of its gay students? And would you say the students are accepting as well as the school itself?

etselec

Absolutely--I think that Swarthmore is an accepting place, and that Swarthmore students are by and large accepting people. There are numerous queer groups on campus, but what I think is really most telling is that plenty of queer students don't feel the need to participate in those groups--they can just be Swarthmore students, and be out, without having that define them.

interesteddad

Swarthmore was one of the first wave of schools (along with Yale) to provide same sex benefits to its employees. It has been at the forefront of LGBT issues with the Sager Symposium, which is I believe the longest running annual academic symposium around.

I believe that in both its history and current practices, Swarthmore would have to be included among the most gay friendly schools in the country. Even when there is controversy, such as the often over-the-top sidewalk chalkings during Coming Out Week, it generates interesting discussion at well-attended forums. I know of one candidate for a top administration position a few years ago who was panned by the student panel interviewing him for referring to his commitment to protecting alternative lifestyles. Students, both gay and straight, objected to his use of the term "alternative".

Let's put it this way. One of the fraternities provides its lodge as a venue for the large annual Sager week LGBT-themed party (I can't use the name of the party here), held in three locations across campus.

collegefreak779

That's awesome. I knew of Yale's attitude towards gays, but I has not known that Swarthmore was similar in that respect. Thank you very much.

interesteddad

Here are two really fabulous article on the history of LGBT issues at Swathmore that appeared in the student daily news website: the Daily Gazette:

Queer History of Swarthmore
What is the history of queer chalkings on campus?